This question popped up as I was wondering if I could use my haze masks in place of a even normal-er surgical mask.
Didn't find any answers (or even the question) anywhere. I looked up 3M's respirator catalogues but they do not mention any difference between a normal N95 respirator e.g. 8210 versus a medical variant e.g. 1860.
Apart from the obvious blue color applied to the medical variant, I am guessing that the medical variants are physically same but that it just had to be put through additional certifications/approvals/tests e.g. BFE. These additional certifications would be additional costs to 3M if they only had one variant as they are not needed if not used for medical purposes.
(I am guessing this way as the 9211+ has a sister variant 9322A+ which is only for Australia that is certified to ANZ P2 standards instead of NIOSH N95 standards)
Link to 3M respirator catalogue: https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/769925O/3m-disposable-respirators-catalogue.pdf
So my question is that apart from the additional paperwork that they have gone through, are the medical variants physically different to normal variants? If so do they make the medical variant marginally better than the normal variants. If the normal variant is inferior, does it hinder its ability to be used for medical purposes? e.g. in lieu of a surgical mask